Echidna

I'm An Echidna

Along its back, the short-beaked echidna has coarse hair and spines to protect itself. When threatened, they will curl into a ball and leave only these spines exposed. Their short, strong limbs and large claws make them excellent diggers. Echidnas use this skill to find termites, ants and other soil creatures to eat. The electric pulses in their sensitive beak allow them to locate them. Because they have no teeth, they use their long sticky tongue to collect food. They also have the ability to move objects twice their own weight. In recent years, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has worked closely with the University of Queensland researching breeding techniques with great success. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to over 20 echidnas which are all part of our Research and Breeding Facility.

Echidnas have vertical slits just behind their eyes for ears and have extremely good hearing.